Partners in Place
C2UExpo 2025's theme, "Partners in Place" underscores the importance of our deep-rooted, reciprocal connections to the land and to one another. It calls us to reflect on our shared responsibility to support the health and vitality of our communities. 'Place' also transcends geography. It extends to complex digital landscapes that bring people from diverse backgrounds together. Whether it is in the physical or digital world, 'place' is culturally, historically, and spiritually significant. It is through our shared connections to 'place' that our communities are built and endure.
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MacEwan University is located in the heart of downtown Edmonton's municipal ward O-day'min. As expressed in our Strategic Vision, Teaching Greatness, "Honouring our Place in O-day'min" means embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion; innovation and entrepreneurship; sustainability; Indigeneity and reconciliation; and connections, partnerships, and place.
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At MacEwan, we are dedicated to utilizing scholarship to make a meaningful impact in communities within and beyond the Edmonton region.
Our Visual Identity
C2UExpo 2025 will be the first time in its history that the Expo has been hosted in Alberta, so special attention has been devoted to creating a visual language that sets it apart from previous years. In keeping with the theme of "Partners in Place", the central goal of developing the Expo's visual identity was allowing it to be informed by Edmonton's unique landscape, history and culture.
The land upon which Edmonton rests is characterized by its relationship with the North Saskatchewan River that divides the city in two. There are numerous bridges and walkways that connect the two halves of the city, and part of living in Edmonton is becoming an expert at navigating these routes to stay in touch with the city's other side. This interconnectedness is meaningful, as it echoes the Expo's mission to strengthen partnerships and act as a bridge between community members and post-secondary institutions. For this reason, the flowing, linear shape of the river and smaller linear forms tying areas together were chosen as the main visual inspiration for the Expo's communications.
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​The use of warm grey and bright sky blue in the conference identity thoughtfully bridges local heritage and contemporary aspirations, creating a visual narrative that is both welcoming and profound, much like the conference's ambitions to honor past treaties and nurture future collaborations. Together, these colors not only represent the physical and spiritual elements of the local environment but also illustrate the conference's commitment to fostering dialogues that are based on mutual respect, understanding, and connectivity.
The bear logomark is a recognition of the land's history and an acknowledgement of our being situated on Treaty 6 territory. The larger, downward-facing bear is inspired by a Treaty marker on MacEwan campus named Mother Bear Prays for Earth Healing carved by artist Stewart Steinhauer of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Of his work, Steinhauer has said:
"When people see Mother Bear Prays for Earth Healing , there are two layers to what I hope they will think about. The first and deepest layer is about exclusion, and that idea is connected to the women’s pipe ceremony where Mother Bear is a metaphor for the idea that there are no excluded human beings. All humans are welcome. We all belong. There's nobody here who isn’t supposed to be here."
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The inverse shape of the smaller bear is representative of the goals of the Expo, and aspiringly gazes skyward with hope for the future. The Expo's purpose is for its attendees to learn and share in equal measure, and this identity expresses the importance of support between communities and the constantly shifting relationship between teacher and student.​
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Identity and web design for C2UExpo 2025 by Adam Houston & Wayne Williams.
Adam Houston is an Edmonton-based designer and artist, and recent graduate of MacEwan University's Bachelor of Design program. He specializes in branding and UX/UI design, and has as a strong interest in design research. He has also done work for StoryWalk at MacEwan University, and MacEwan's Research Institute for Urban Wellness. More of his work can be found at adamhouston.ca.